President's Blog: From the Heart

By Eric F. Spina

Dayton Flyers Coach Anthony Grant quietly delivered a message more important than any X’s and O’s drawn up for a buzzer-beater play.

“Be advocates for yourself and be willing to be advocates for the people you love,” he told nearly 1,000 people who gathered for the second annual Shine a Light on Mental Illness Town Hall in a subdued University of Dayton Arena on Oct. 9.

“My message to you: Fight for your mental health. Stay with it. You’re worth it. Your life matters. Life is better with you here.”

Coach Grant and his wife, Chris, felt unimaginable grief after their 20-year-old daughter, Jayda, died from suicide more than two years ago. They’re “bringing purpose to the pain” by talking publicly about their daughter’s life and struggles, but let’s face it — it would be a lot easier not to have to talk about the pain, not to have to relive their worst days, not to have to hear the stories of others. 

They’ve become leaders in our community and on the national stage because they want to honor their daughter, break the stigma of mental illness, create awareness about resources — and save lives.

“We have one of the best fan bases in the country. If we can use (this forum) to make people aware, that’s what we’re going to do,” Coach Grant told the audience, made up mostly of student-athletes, young people, and families. “The strength we get from our faith as well as support from many of you carries us through.”

As the president of UD, I couldn’t be prouder of the leadership that Coach Grant is providing. It is beyond important. And it is rare. Keep in mind that he is a highly respected, successful, and widely recognized coach in a high-visibility, competitive arena where toughness and masculinity are the coins of the realm. 

Yet, here are Coach Grant and his wife opening their hearts and taking on this critical issue with vulnerability and deep care for others. As they spoke, the national suicide and crisis lifeline number — 988 — and winning artwork from the GEM Art Contest for Suicide Prevention flashed on the overhead video boards that typically broadcast basketball scores and stats.

The event, which precedes an Oct. 20 sold-out charity exhibition game with Xavier, included a mental health resource fair and panel discussion with the Grants, local mental health experts, and two young people who have struggled with thoughts of suicide — Brandon Saho, a former Cincinnati sports reporter who now hosts “The Mental Game” podcast, and Gloria Umanah, a spoken word artist from Atlanta who founded The Hope Booth.

Other noteworthy basketball programs are joining the cause, too. Cincinnati will host Ohio State and Kansas will travel to Arkansas this month for charity exhibition games sponsored by CareSource, with proceeds supporting mental health organizations and Jay’s Light, the foundation the Grants established to shine a spotlight on mental health and raise funds for suicide prevention efforts.

“Jay’s death, however inexplicable, can serve a purpose and leave a mark on people’s hearts and souls,” Coach Grant said. “You are not alone. There is help and there is hope.”